Tea & Symphony performance series to launch at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica

Young stars of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and the Ekpo Trio will be featured at the launch of the new “Tea & Symphony” afternoon tea and performance series at Shutters on the Beach hotel in Santa Monica.
The event is scheduled to begin with a tea reception at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 7, followed by a tea setting at 3 p.m. at Shutters, 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica.
The “Tea & Symphony” event series is aimed at providing funding towards children’s education in the performing arts and offers an upscale culinary alternative to the typical Sunday brunch, said Ernest Littles, the event series’ executive producer.
Donations and proceeds from the performance will go to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Scholarship Fund.
“We are committed to helping these community children’s performing arts education centers extend their donation outreach effort, while at the same time offering a platform to encourage and showcase the talents from among the most gifted and talented young performing artists within these organizations,” said Littles.
Each event in the series will feature a different nonprofit children and young adult performing arts organization and will showcase a variety of performing arts, including dance, vocal and instrumental.
This first event in the series will feature the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and will also showcase the classically trained and eclectic musical talents of the Ekpo Trio.
The dance academy is a nonprofit cultural center that works to make dance a meaningful experience for all individuals, and prepares young dancers for careers in dance, musical theater, film and television.
The Ekpo Trio is a string ensemble comprised of three brothers playing violin, viola and cello.
Admission is $60. For tickets and donation information, Steve Brown, (310) 280-9145.